Electric horn



Feb. 25, 1952 R QNELS N ET AL 2,587,513

' ELECTRIC HORN Filed Jan. 3, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 mvzmons,

R/cAarc/ C. Nielsen &

pfar Nl'e/e e0 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. '26, 1952 R c, NIELSEN ET L 2,587,513

' ELECTRIC HORN Filed Jan. 5, 1950 2' SHEETSSHEET 2 Win. j

Illl VIA I VENTORfi.

@aAara 6./V/ sen 5 p@r ar Nix/s an.

Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATS r OFFICE ELECTRIC HORN Application January 3, 1950, Serial No. 136,540

7 Claims.

' This invention relates to improvements in electrical sound warning signals.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved electric automobile horn capable of producing a louder and more powerful sound than possible with conventional construction. This is-enabled thru the improved use of the two way pull-motor for operating the armature to which the diaphragm is attached.

A further object of this invention, is the provision of an electric sound signal utilizing a pair of electromagnets. for operating an armature to which the, diaphragm is connected; the armature being so constructed and arranged with respect to the electromagnets that. the horn may be set in operation and continued in operation without the use of a lag device.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved electric automobile horn wherein the diaphragm armature is disposed in such relation to a pair of electromagnets that one of the magnets will attract the horn before the other for the purpose of initially setting the armature into operation upon closing-of a circuit.

A further object of this invention is. the provision of a loud powerful type of electric warning signal embodying a pair of electromagnets so constructed and arranged as to operate with unequal power upon the armature, whereby without the use of a lag device the horn may be initially set into operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views,

Figure 1 is a transverse cross sectional view taken thru portions of the automobile horn, showing the arrangement of the parts thereof.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the horn.

Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary cross sectional views taken substantially on the respective lines 3-3 and 44 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the horn circuit system. I

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the electric warning signal or horn. It includes a casing or frame structure B; electromagnetic assemblage C; diaphragm and armature assemblage D and circuit maker andbreaker means E,

Referring to the. supporting orf-rame structure B, the same includes a disc-shaped base plate ID to which the lower ends of adjusting supporting bolts ll, l2 and I3 are connected in right angled relation. The upper ends of the supporting standards or bolts ll, I2 and [3 are screw threaded and receive thereover a sub-base plate or frame member l4, provided with apertures for freely receiving therethru the screw threaded ends of the standards. Nuts I5 are provided on each of the screw threaded ends of the standards I I, I2 and I3 for adjusting the position of the subbase plate [4 with respect to the base .plate l0, and also, as will hereinafter appear, to adjust the spacing of the electromagnetic coils with respect to each other and the. armature.

The facing surfaces of the plates l0 and M are adapted to support upper and lower electromagnets 23 and 24 respectively of the assemblage C. Each of these electromagnets includes a sleeve-like core 25; a, coil 26- and a field pole piece 21. The cores 25 are provided with aligning passageways 29 therethru. The remote ends of the cores are inserted thru suitable openings in the base plates I0 and H- and peened thereover as at 38. The parts of each of the cores 23 and 24 as thus provided, are so constructed and arranged so that the electromagnets are respectively securely attached to the plates l0 and [4, as clearly shownin Figure 4. There is. an air gap between the facing pole pieces of the electromagnets, designated by the letter X, shown in Figure 4.

The armature arrangement for the electromagnets preferably consists of an armature shaft 40 having an armature 4! of disc-shaped formation secured therewith intermediate the ends thereof and disposed in the air gap X. The ends of the shaft 40 extend freely thru the passageways 29 of the two electromagnets. The lower end of the shaft 40 is screw threaded and mounted centrally upon the diaphragm D and adjustably secured thereto as by a nut 42. The upper end of the shaft 40 is likewise screw threaded and extended thru suitable apertures in a spring arm 45, shown in Figure 1. This screw threaded end of the shaft 40 receives a nut 46 whereby the position of the armatureand its mounting on the spring arm 45 may be adjusted, for the purpose of properly spacing the armature disc 4| in the air gap X, in accordance with the principles of this invention to be hereinafter discussed.

Referring to the circuit maker and breaker assemblage E, the lower electromagnet 24' is provided with a contact point- 51] mounted upon a metal spring arm 5|. The spring arm 5| is mounted in insulated relation upon a rim of the magnet furthermore includes an adjustable contact member 56 mounted upon a rigid arm piece 57, which is also secured in position by the bolts 53. Normally, the contact points or tips and are in engagement. The plane of their engagement may be adjusted not only by means of the bolt 46, but also by the nut 58 which is adjusted upon the screw threaded end 59 of the point 56.

The coil 25 of the lower magnet 24 has a wire 6U extending for connection at 6| to an extended end of the spring arm 5|, as shown in Figure 2. The contact point 56 is grounded to the frame of the horn, as shown at in Figure 5.

The coil of the upper electromagnet 23 has a wire Ill extending for connection at 1| to a lateral portion 72 of a metallic spring arm 12*, shown in Figure 1. The arm l2 has a contact point 13 mounted thereon. The upper coil breaker point assembly is mounted as by bolts '14 upon the sub-base plate I4, as shown in Figure l, and the steel spring arm 12 is insulated from the frame by an insulation strip 15, shown in Figure 1, which contacts a portion 16 mounted upon and in conducting relation with the armature shaft, as shown in Figure 1. The spring arm 12 normally is urged downwards against the portion 16 and urges the contact point 13 downward and into engagement with a contact point 11. The latter is mounted upon a conductor cross bar 18. Bar 18 is bolted at 79, as shown in Figure 3, upon the frame sub-plate M at one end l4. With this arrangement the bar 18 may be lifted and lowered to adjust the relative position of the contact points l3 and 11.

It is to be noted that the contact point 13 is insulated with respect to the frame of the horn and the contact 11 is grounded to the frame,

as diagrammatically indicated at 8| in Figure 5.

For the coils of the electromagnets 23 and 24, are quenching resistors and 9| are bridged across the respective contact points or tips of the two breaker point assemblies, as shown in Figure 5.

A battery or outer source of current is grounded at 96. A main switch 91 is provided, and a horn sounding button 98, all in the circuit. The wires of the two coils remote from their connections with the breaker point assemblies are connected to a battery terminal connecting bolt 99, best shown in Figure 4.

Thru the adjustable bolt mountings of the armature shaft 40 upon the diaphragm and the spring arm member 45, the position of the armature disc 4| may be adjusted in the air gap X. Thus it may be spaced a distance Y, constituting an air gap between the same and the lower electromagnet 24, and the distance 2, constituting an air gap between the same and the upper electromagnet 23; This oil center location ofthe armature disc 4| is intended to be sufficient (assuming that both electromagnets are ofeoual strength), that the closer magnet will initially attract the armature to set it in oscillation.

It is furthermore to be noted from Figure a, that the coil of the lower electromagnet may be wound to produce greater strength for attraction of the armature. The differential in strength between the two magnets is also intended to be suflicient (by itself) to enable the lower electromagnet to initially attract the armature and set it into oscillation, even tho the armature may be positioned in the center of the air gap X.

The optimum arrangement, however, is shown in the drawings where not only is the armature 4| closer to the pole of the electromagnet 24, but also the latter is stronger. This insures that the lower electromagnet will initially attract the armature to set the same into vibration.

The diaphragm D is provided with a cover I00, riveted or otherwise secured at lei to the base plate l0. 7

It is acknowledged that heretofore it was old to provide two electromagnets for actuating the armature of an electric sound signal. However the lagging and other devices heretofore provided for insuring the initial starting of the horn, add to the expense thereof, and prevent compactness of the assemblage, because of the necessity of using a larger number of parts with less space for installation. The present horn does not necessitate a lag device. In it both breaker point assemblies are initially closed, and both electromagnets are simultaneously energized upon pushthe above, the armature will be set in oscillation and the breaker assemblages alternately opened and closed as long as the button 98 closes the circuit, for the vibration of the diaphragm and sounding of the horn.

Various changes in the shape, size and arran ment of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an electric sounding signal the combina tion of a pair of relatively spaced mounting plates having means to detachably mount the same in spaced relation for adjustment towards and away from each other, a pair of electromagnets mcunn; ed in fixed relation upon the facing surfaces oi saidiplates, one uponeach plate, said electro-' magnets including cores with aligning passageways and individual windings, the electromagnets being relatively spaced to provide a definite air gap therebetween, a diaphragm mounted upon one of said plates, an armature including an armature shaft having ends extending thru the passageways of the electromagnets, the shaft beingconnected to the diaphragm with the arrnature in the air gap between the electromagnets. means connecting the armature shaft yieldably' to said frame in position so that the armature: may be adjusted in the air gap with-respect to said electromagnets, individual circuit making: and breaking assemblies for said electromagnets: associated and arranged with respect to the ar-- mature for alternate opening and closing upon. oscillation of the armature.

2. In an electric sounding signal the combina tion of a pair of relatively spaced mounting plates having means to detachably mount the same in spaced relation for adjustment towards and away from each, other, a pair of electromagnets mounted relation upon the facing surfaces of" ateas 1a said plates, one upon each plate, said electromagnets including cores with aligning passageways and individual windings, the electromagnets being relatively spaced to provide a definite air gap therebetween, a diaphragm mounted upon one of said plates, an armature including an armature" shaft having ends extending thru the passageways of the electromagnets, the shaft bein connected to the diaphragm with the armature in the air' gap between the electromagnets, means connecting the armature shaft yieldably to said frame in position so that the armature may be adjusted in the air gap with respect to said electromagnets, individual circuit making and breaking assemblies for said electromagnets associated and arranged with respect to the armature for alternate opening and closing upon oscillation of the armature, the armature being positioned eccentrically in the air gap so that there is a smaller effective gap between the same and one of the electromagnets than with respect to the other electromagnet.

3. In an electric sounding signal the combination of a pair of relatively spaced mounting plates having means to detachably mount the same in spaced relation for adjustment towards and away from each other, a pair of electromagnets mounted in fixed relation upon the facing surfaces of said plates, one upon each plate, said electromagnets including cores with aligning 3 passageways and individual windings, the electromagnets being relatively spaced to provide a definite air gap therebetween, a diaphragm mounted upon one of said plates, an armature including an armature shaft having ends extending thru the passageways of the electromagnets, the shaft being connected to the diaphragm with the armature in the air gap between the electromagnets, means connecting the armature shaft yieldably to said frame in position so that the armature may be adjusted in the air gap with respect to said electromagnets, individual circuit making and breaking assemblies for said electromagnets associated and arranged with respect to the armature for alternate opening and closing upon oscillation of the armature, the armature being positioned eccentrically in the air gap so that there is a smaller effective gap between the same and one of the electromagnets than with respect to the other electromagnet, and one of said electromagnets having a greater effective electromagnetic strength than the other magnet.

4. In an electric sounding signal the combination of a pair of relatively spaced mounting plates having means to detachably mount the same in spaced relation for adjustment towards and away from each other, a pair of electromagnets mounted in fixed relation upon the facing surfaces of said plates, one upon each plate, said electromagnets including cores with aligning passageways and individual windings, the electromagnets being relatively spaced to provide a definite air gap therebetween, a diaphragm mounted upon one of said plates, an armature including an armature shaft having ends extending thru the passageways of the electromagnets, the shaft be ing connected to the diaphragm with the armature in the air gap between the electromagnets, means connecting the armature shaft yieldably to said frame in position so that the armature may be adjusted in the air gap with respect to said electromagnets, individual circuit making and breaking assemblies for said electromagnets associated and arranged with respect to the armature for alternate opening and closing upon oscillation of the armature, the electromagnets each including a windin one of which windings is of such nature as to produce a greater electromagnetic strength in that electromagnet than the other whereby upon closing of a circuit wherein the electromagnets are disposed, the electromagnet of greater strength will initially attract the armature.

5. In an electrical sounding signal the combination of a frame structure, a pair of relatively spaced electromagnets mounted upon said frame structure and having an air gap therebetween, an armature common to both of said electromagnets disposed in the air gap between the electromagnets and in spaced gap providing relation with respect to each of the electromagnets, a diaphragm connected with the armature for vibration upon oscillation of the armature, one of said electromagnets being of greater electromagnetic strength than the other for initially attracting the armature upon closing of an electromagnetic circuit, a normally closed circuit maker and breaker for each of said electromagnets having means associated and arranged with respect to the electromagnets that the circuit makers and breakers will be alternately operated to opened position, and a circuit for the electromagnets having the circuit makers and breakers operatively connected therein.

6. In an electric sounding signal the combination of a frame structure, a pair of relatively spaced electromagnets mounted upon said frame structure and having an air gap therebetween, an armature common to both of said electromagnets disposed in the air gap therebetween and in spaced gap providing relation with respect to said electromagnets, a diaphragm mounted upon the frame structure and having connection with said armature for vibration upon oscillation of the armature, a normally closed circuit maker and breaker for each of said electromagnets, a circuit for the electromagnets having the circuit makers and breakers operatively associated therein for alternately energizing said electromagnets, means to alternately open said normally closed circuit makers and breakers upon closing of said circuit, one of said electromagnets having means to give it a greater electromagnetic strength for initially attracting the armature upon the closing of the circuit, and gap adjusting means connected with said armature and frame structure and normally holding the armature in position with the smaller air gap between the same and the stronger electromagnet to aid in the initial attraction of the armature by said stronger electromagnet.

'7. As an article of manufacture an electric sounding signal comprising a frame structure, a pair of relatively spaced electromagnets mounted upon said frame structure and having an air gap therebetween, a normally closed circuit maker maker and breaker for each of said electromagnets mounted upon the frame structure and in circuit with the respective electromagnets for controlling flow of current therethru, a diaphragm connected with said frame structure, means connecting the armature with the central portion of said diaphragm, and means mounted upon said frame structure and connected with the armature at the opposite side of the armature from the diaphragm for adjusting the position of the armature in the air gap between said electromagnets, said means being so adjusted as 7 to hold the armature'closer to one of the electro magnets then the other during deenergizing periods of said. electromagnets whereby the electromagnet with the smaller air gap between it and the armature will initially attract the armature upon closing of a circuit thru said electremagnets.

RICHARD C'. NIELSEN. PETER NIELSEN.

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date McKay May 24, 1892 Greenwood Mar. 5, 1929 Ames May 5, 1931 Schongut Sept. 8, 1931 Boehm May 10, 1932 Riedel Feb. 21, 1933 Ford Feb. 13, 1934 Critchfield Mar. 12, 1935 White Dec. 15, 1936 Greenly Mar. 18, 1941 Lindfors May 12, 1947 

